Association Committees

Minorities in the Profession Chair, Michael Oshima MOshima@SafeHorizon.org	Minorities in the Courts Chair, Hon. Debra James DJAMES@courts.state.ny.us
Recruitment and Retention of Lawyers Chair, Janis Meyer jmeyer@dl.com	Enhance Diversity in the Profession Co-chair, Susan Kohlmann skohlmann@jenner.com
	Enhance Diversity in the Profession Co-chair, P.D. Villarreal pd.villarreal@spcorp.com

Reports

Statement of Diversity Principles

The Association has issued a Statement of Diversity Principles, designed to affirm the commitment of New York City area law firms and corporate legal departments to diversity goals that have specific time targets and milestones for achieving diversity. The Association and its members have long been committed to fostering diversity in the legal profession. These Diversity Principles continue the Association’s diversity initiatives and build on the goals subscribed to in 1991 and 1998. The Association approaches diversity as an inclusive concept encompassing those groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in the profession. Through increased diversity, the legal profession can more effectively address societal and individual needs by bringing to bear more varied perspectives, experiences and knowledge to the practice of law and the administration of justice.

Statement of Diversity Principles and Signatories ( PDF format )

To Become a Signatory ( PDF format )

Program

Fellowship Program
Sponsored by the Committee on Recruitment and Retention of Lawyers, the Fellowship Program is a highly competitive program that places first-year law students from historically under-represented populations in the field of law (including minorities and those of disadvantaged economic status) from the 11 New York City law schools with law firms and corporate departments.

Potential fellows go through a multi-step application process. They are required to submit transcripts, personal statements, and writing samples based on a hypothetical and authorities prepared and provided by the committee, and may also submit letters of recommendation. Students are first screened by law school panels and finalists are interviewed by the committee for selection. Selected students are included and participate fully in the legal organization's summer associate programs, and are compensated by the organization at the same level as other first-year summer associates.

Many Fellowship Program alumni return to their first year employers for their second year and/or for permanent employment. Since the inception in 1991, over 250 students of color have been placed in rewarding summer positions after their first year of law school and gone on to successful legal careers.

To participate as an employer in the program please click here ( PDF format ) . For additional information about becoming a participating employer or to request more information about the program, please contact the Committee's Chair, Janis Meyer, at jmeyer@dl.com. Students should contact their law school's office of career services for more information.

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High school-aged students assemble beneath Justice Marshall’s portrait at the beginning of their summer internships. The program -- part of the Association’s longstanding effort to enhance diversity in the legal profession -- matches promising inner-city students with employers in New York City’s legal community. Every summer, approximately 60 employers hire one to several interns, many of whom go on to law school and successful legal careers.

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